Lewis and Clark Community College

Lewis and Clark Community College is a public community college located in Godfrey, Illinois, United States. The college was established in 1970 and is named after the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition, which passed through the area in 1803 and 1804. The college is part of the Illinois Community College System and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The college has partnerships with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, University of Illinois at Springfield, and McKendree University.

● History

The history of the college dates back to the late 1960s, when a group of local citizens, including Robert Wadlow, Eugene B. Redmond, and James K. Polk, advocated for the establishment of a community college in the Riverbend area. The college was established in 1970 and initially offered classes at Alton High School and Wood River High School. In 1972, the college moved to its current location in Godfrey, Illinois, on a 200-acre campus that was formerly a farm owned by Nicholas Jarrot. The college has since expanded to include additional locations in Alton, Illinois, Edwardsville, Illinois, and East St. Louis, Illinois, and has partnerships with Southwestern Illinois College, Kaskaskia College, and Shawnee Community College.

● Campus

The campus of the college is located on a 200-acre site in Godfrey, Illinois, and features a mix of modern and historic buildings, including the Benjamin Godfrey Memorial Chapel, which was built in 1854 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The campus is also home to the Lewis and Clark Community College Trailblazers athletic teams, which compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association and have won championships in basketball, soccer, and volleyball. The college has a sustainability initiative, which includes the use of solar power, wind power, and geothermal energy, and has partnerships with Ameren Illinois, Illinois American Water, and the City of Alton.

● Academics

The college offers a range of academic programs, including associate's degrees, certificates, and transfer degrees, in fields such as business, health sciences, technology, and arts and humanities. The college has a strong focus on workforce development and has partnerships with local employers, including Boeing, Caterpillar Inc., and OSF Healthcare. The college also offers online courses and distance learning options, and has a library with a collection of over 50,000 volumes, including works by William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and Mark Twain. The college is accredited by the American Dental Association, American Bar Association, and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

● Student Life

The college has a range of student organizations and activities, including the Student Government Association, Phi Theta Kappa, and the Lewis and Clark Community College Trailblazers athletic teams. The college also offers a range of support services, including academic advising, counseling, and financial aid, and has partnerships with United Way, American Red Cross, and the Salvation Army. The college has a diverse student body, with students from over 20 different countries, including China, India, and Mexico, and has a strong focus on international education and study abroad programs, including partnerships with University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, and Sorbonne University.

● Athletics

The college's athletic teams, the Lewis and Clark Community College Trailblazers, compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association and have won championships in basketball, soccer, and volleyball. The college has a strong focus on athletic development and has produced athletes who have gone on to compete at the NCAA level, including athletes who have competed in the Olympic Games, World Cup, and Super Bowl. The college has partnerships with St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Blues, and has a sports management program that is accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation. The college also offers intramural sports and recreational activities, including fitness classes, yoga, and swimming, and has a wellness center with state-of-the-art equipment, including treadmills, elliptical machines, and free weights.

Category:Community colleges in Illinois